If some in Hollywood were beginning to wonder whether Avatar would ever relinquish its hold on the international box office their guessing game is about to end.

Alice In Wonderland is a strong bet to usurp the 11-week reign of Fox International’s sci-fi titan this weekend when it launches in more than 40 territories through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. But it could be close.

Opening day-and-date with North America in approximately 60% of the international marketplace, Tim Burton’s 3D fantasy adventure jumped down the rabbit hole in Italy and Sweden on Wednesday and arrived in a further 26 markets on Thursday.

They included German-speaking Europe, Australia, South Korea and Russia. The UK, Mexico, Taiwan, Poland and a further nine markets were due to follow on Friday.

Beyond this initial wave, the film is scheduled to touch down in France on March 24, China on March 26, Spain on April 16, Japan on April 17 and Brazil on April 23.

Avatarhas generated the modest sum of $1.85bn and while there are no territories left to open, James Cameron’s blockbuster should still pack a punch for a while yet.

Fox International gives a big pre-Oscar push for Crazy Heart starring Academy Awards favourite Jeff Bridges. The drama arrives this weekend in Germany, Italy, France, South Korea, Spain and Hong Kong, among others.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief will cross $100m this weekend and stands at $98.5m.

Sony Pictures Releasing International opens the supernatural thriller Legion in the UK this weekend, while The Men Who Stare At Goats arrives in Australia and Spain.

Paramount/PPI’s Shutter Island has grossed $24.9m and touches down in five including Switzerland and French-speaking Switzerland on March 3 followed by German-speaking Switzerland on March 4.

The Renee Zellweger thriller Case 39 has grossed $12.3m and opens in the UK on March 5 and Up In The Air on $70.1m arrives in Singapore on March 4 followed by Taiwan on March 6.

Universal/UPI’s The Wolfman stands at $65.9m, It’s Complicated $87.6m, and Couples Retreat $61.3m.

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